Valley of Promises

Matanuska #1

by Bonnie Leon

Brought to their knees by the Great Drought of the 1930s, Will Hasper and his family give up their farm in Wisconsin to join a federal government project starting a colony of transplanted farmers in the Matanuska Valley of Alaska. However, the colonists meet resistance from earlier homesteaders in the Valley and their leader, Ray Townsend. Laurel, Will’s daughter, who put aside her own desires and dreams to follow her family to Alaska, finds herself torn between two men vying for her love—Adam, a reporter writing a story on the colony’s experiences, and Robert, a colonist who can offer Laurel the stability she needs. For the colony to survive, they must all learn to trust God’s promises.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Historical

320 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

About the author

Bonnie Leon is the author of twenty-three novels, including the recently released One Hundred Valleys, To Dance With Dolphins, the popular Alaskan Skies and bestselling The Journey of Eleven Moons.
Bonnie’s books are being read internationally and she hears from readers in Australia, Europe, and even Africa.
She enjoys speaking for women’s groups and teaching at writing seminars and conventions. These days, her time is filled with writing, being a grandmother and relishing precious time with her aged mother.
Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.

You can find bonnie at
https://www.bonnieleon.com
https://www.facebook.com/BonnieLeonAu...
https://www.bonnieleon.blogspot.com
https://www.@bonnie_leon
https://www.pinterest.com/bonnieleon/

Reviews

[Jeanette Durkin]

I really enjoyed reading this book! My interest was immediately piqued after I read the back cover. Drought, starting over in Alaska as part of a federal government project, sadness, joy and so much more.

The characters are genuine and easy to like (except for a few). Celeste is my favorite! She's friendly to everyone, a loyal friend and a peacemaker. Her father is a force to be reckoned with but she loves him and hopes for him to change. Laurel is someone that I have mixed feelings about. She's a wonderful daughter, always willing to lend a hand and take care of her siblings. She is however wishy-washy with her love life. She likes Robert, then Adam, then Robert and so on. I was so happy when she finally made a decision!!

I am always amazed when I read about people who leave their familiar home and start over somewhere new. One thing that really stuck with me was that the main characters placed their trust in God. They prayed to Him and believed in His faithfulness.

I look forward to reading more books by this author!

[GJ S]

Clean Christian historical novel

This story was very sad in many ways and cold weather of Alaska and the beginnings of a new colony there. The characters were easy to connect with and the Lord was a integral part of their lives for most. I recommend the author

[Colleen]

Good Christian based book

Good read..it was a book that held my interest..very true to life..sadness along with happiness defeat along with triumph...liked it a lot!!

[Kimberly DuBois]

A different kind of pioneer story....I loved this book!

[Joanie Standridge]

I love Bonnie Leon's "Alaskan Skies" series, so I tried this one out. It's decent but I didn't like it as much. Some transitional parts seemed very jumpy and I had some trouble relating with some of the events and characters and I was left wondering "Why or what was their reason and motive for doing that?". The end section seemed more smoothly written. However the very end was like "Bam!" This is what happened! But why?! Felt left out of some of the characters' emotional decision process. It wasn't a horribly bad book, but I have read better... even better from this very author! lol. If I could guess right, I would guess Bonnie Leon wrote this early in her writing career and Alaskan Skies was written later. By the way, I am still itching to read the third installment of Alaskan Skies! Hope it finds it's way to my Overdrive library very soon!

[Diane]

This is a fiction story based on an experiment the American Government did with a group of people in the 1930's. During the dustbowl years the govt. offered to set up a colony of people in Alaska with land and materials for building houses and farming. The colonists would not have to start paying back for 5 years. It was an interesting story and all fiction except for the experiment which was based on truth.

[BETTY WILLIAMS]

I know how the plans I have for you..

Just as the Bible states, God has a plan for each of us, if we will only listen and heed. Beautiful story wound around a time and circumstance in our nation's history.

[Cws]

YA Leo

[Heidi Williams]

Good story of a settler families struggles and heartaches. Oh and of course with a little added romance

[Heather]

Interesting to read a fictional account of the colony days, but could've definitely done without the heavy handed Christianity.

[Lynn]

Good Christian book